YOUR PERSONALITY
Emerald – the birthstone for May, has been beloved for ages. A symbol of rebirth and is believed to grant the owner foresight, good fortune, and youth. Today, Emerald is a symbol of loyalty, new beginnings, peace, and security - making it not only a beautiful gem to wear, but also a meaningful jewellery gift to be treasured as a present.
Fun Facts: Emerald is the gemstone given for the 20th and 35th wedding anniversaries.
WHAT IS EMERALD?
Emerald is derived from the word “smaragdus,” means “green” in Greek. Emerald has a bluish green to green variety of beryl colour and is a mineral species that includes aquamarine. The deeper or more green an Emerald is, the more valuable it is. The rarest Emerald gemstones will appear to be an intense green-blue colour. Emerald gems are found all over the world including Colombia, Brazil, Afghanistan, and Zambia. The availability of high-quality Emerald is limited; consequently, treatments to improve clarity are performed regularly.
Fun Facts: Emerald gemstones were mined in Egypt as early as 330 BC, but some estimate that the oldest emeralds are 2.97 billion years old.
EMRALD HARDNESS
Emerald is 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness, so the May birthstone it is more susceptible to scratching than Diamond, which ranks 10 on the scale.
EMERALD CARE AND CLEANING
The Emerald birthstone requires some special care such as avoiding exposure to heat, changes in air pressure (such as in an airline cabin) and harsh chemicals. Never put an Emerald in an ultrasonic cleaner, as the vibrations and heat can cause the filler to sweat out of fractures. Filled Emeralds can also be damaged by exposure to hot water used for washing dishes. The safest way to clean emeralds is to gently scrubbing them with a soft brush and warm, soapy water.
Learn more about how to pick a beautiful emerald collection with our Jewellery consultant here.
